Monday, May 31, 2010

I spent most of this uneventful Memorial Day Weekend working at American Apparel, but on Memorial Day itself, I went out to Prospect Park in Redlands, which I'd never been to-- or even really heard about. We got some McNuggets (my fave!-- the one thing I crave at McDonald's; besides fries and yogurt parfaits) and drove up to munch them at a picnic table and played the Shrek card game that came with the box of nuggets. It was quite pretty up there, and there's this really great little outdoor theater tucked away. I wanted to take pictures there, but a theater troupe was rehearsing a loud and shout-y play. Next time, mayhaps.

So here is my first attempt at showcasing an outfit. I've been hesitant because I'm not all too comfortable in front of a camera-- I like being behind one best. The pictures are a bit blurry because I'm still trying to figure out my camera and also, it started getting dark out. I have a step down from an SLR camera, but it's a Canon and it's a good solid one. I wish I could have gotten a better floral detail shot of the jumper, because it's very intricate and pretty. (If you click on the pictures, you can see them full-size but I don't recommend it because then you have to see me up close).

Also this weekend, I found a yummy yummy recipe for snickerdoodle cookies courtesy of Joy of Cooking and decided to try and make them. They turned out wonderfully delicious, and only after eating the pretty batch, I had the thought to take a picture and post it up, so you get to see the remains (and the recipe!)::

Beat the butter and sugar until smooth (about 2 to 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat until you have a smooth dough. If the dough is soft, cover and refrigerate until firm enough to roll into balls (one to two hours).

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (190 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Shape the dough into 1 inch round balls.

Coating: In a large shallow bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon.

Roll the balls of dough in the cinnamon sugar and place on the prepared pan, spacing about 2 inches apart. Then, gently flatten each cookie to about 1/2 inch thick.

Bake the cookies for about 8 - 10 minutes, or until they are light golden brown around the edges. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

I was pleased to discover that This is Water , David Foster Wallace's 2005 commencement speech at Kenyon University is actually included in my 2006 copy of Best American Non-Required Reading, although I wouldn't mind having the newly published standalone version of it. (hint, hint) Thanks Dave Eggers, for always keeping me on the up-and-up.

From This is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life, by the late David Foster Wallace:

There are these two young fish swimming along, and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, "Morning, boys, how's the water?" And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, "What the hell is water?"

[click to buy]

But of course there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talked about in the great outside world of winning and achieving and displaying.

The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day.

That is real freedom.

That is being taught to think.

It is about the real value of a real education, which has nothing to do with grades or degrees and everything to do with simple awareness-- awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves, over and over:

"This is water, this is water; these Eskimos might be much more than they seem."

Thursday, May 27, 2010

I lovelovelove Madewell, but it's such a chore going all the way to Century City to shop there. So I'm really excited about the online store finally becoming a thing of being. Especially for when the Alexa Chung line makes it's appearance. In other news, I bought some overall shorts on ebay for dirt cheap that just arrived in the mail last week, but they're a little long, so I need to either cuff them or hem them. Probably just roll 'em up. They're really cute. Perhaps pictures will follow once I've dealt with the length issue.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

It's almost been two weeks since I've updated, and now that I have a big project that I've been procrastinating way too much on that's due tomorrow, I've decided this is more important. Not a lot's been going on but I wanted to share with you that I helped make the best homemade chili last night and I was really proud of us and how well it turned out! I wish I had taken pictures. It had all the necessary spices and red and orange and green bell peppers and tomatoes and deliciousness all mixed together.

Oh, also, I found out this weekend that I have an above average IQ, almost to the genius level. I guess that means my mind is advanced enough to really truly appreciate things like this::

Also also, I found a willing photographer. Now I just need a willing me.

And I know it's been weeks without a playlist, but I'll make it up to you I swear. Here's the one I'd started two weeks ago but never got around to finishing. I have a few ideas for future playlists lined up too, and they're real good. Promise. So here's a get up and get going playlist for ya. That last song is because someone brought up the Pulp Fiction scene and now I keep wanting to listen to it every time I get ready in the morning.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

So I found this particular sweet little link to a clip from Annie Hall on Gigantic which is a publication I stumbled across, and in the same way that McSweeney's has their McSweeney's Recommends page, but lots shorter-- and not updated, but no less brilliant-- they have a section that features things they like, so potential submitters have a chance to get a feel for their aesthetic.

Speaking of which, here's a super funny bit from the always reliable trove of McSweeney's sundries otherwise known as their Lists section:Musician Update

Sunday, May 9, 2010

So my hair is in that middle stage where it's not long or short, but in between. Apparently, this length is supposed to be the "in" length of the moment--or so I've been reading, but it usually makes me want to cut it when it gets to that limbo area just past the shoulders. The dilemma is whether I should cut it, or if I should grow it out. Right now I'm of the persuasion to go for length. What say you? (Just click on the thumbnails for the actual size).

In favor of long::

And, the case for short. I've gotta say, I'm slowly growing more and more fond of the short, even though it makes me look ten years younger. (I already look 17 years old no matter the hair length, anyway). But I do miss my long glorious hair something fierce. So indecisive; like a true Libra ::

And last but not least, to leave you with something sweet and wonderful, and lovely and lively. . . Some new New Pornographers (Neko!!) :)

A mistake on the part of nature,You're so fabled, so fair, just sit anywhere.I've pencil-sketched the scene,It's feeling Byzantine.

Friday, May 7, 2010

So what do you do? You go on to get your MFA in Creative Writing and then get an amazing job teaching creative writing at a university and write fantastic books full of short stories and make a difference in the world! If Aimee Bender can do it, so can I! . . . Right?

I went to the reading on campus yesterday and got to speak with Aimee Bender afterwards about the element of the fantastic, which is something I've been wanting to try my hand at in my own writing; something Ms. Bender is a master of. She's absolutely approachable and down-to-earth and wonderful. At dinner, we had Thai food, and we talked about fairytales and Alice in Wonderland and how she admired my noodles. She even signed my copy of The Girl in the Flammable Skirt. My favorite, though, is this little masterpiece::

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

This is a cute little youtube video that came up when I was looking for "Apple Trees" by Eels, since it wasn't available to put on my playlist. I likes.

This one's a little broader themed than my others. Sort of a May/springtime/let's-go-fly-kites-and-have-a-picnic-and-wear-sundresses kind of theme. (I know, I know, there are two Donovan songs, but you're just going to have to deal with the awesomeness.) I had a theme in mind last week--a GOOD one-- but since I took so long, I forgot and now it's escaped me, sadly. Any themes you'd like to see me tackle? Let me know.

Also, I'm close to working up the nerve to take pictures of my outfits. Want to be my photographer? I don't have a tripod. :)

Monday, May 3, 2010

I have a tendency to be inexplicably, unmitigatedly cheery in the most dire and trying of times, and sometimes this works in my favor; in others, not so much. Today I experienced the former. My car had trouble acclimating to the 86 degree weather today, so it decided to overheat on the way to the post office after class-- even after I blasted the heater, the guage my engine thermometer persisted. So I popped the hood in front of the post office and got down to business. While waiting for the radiator cap to cool before adding more coolant, a number of well-intentioned men offered their help, which I politely refused. The last good samaritan, in response to my giant grinning "No thank you, I have one!" after he asked if I needed a funnel, waved out the window of his truck and said, "Thanks for the beautiful smile!" The best part was that he was this old grizzly looking, bearded man. I think a positive outlook is almost always beneficial when hoping to receive some positive karma in return, even though the turnaround may not always be so quick.

It took me longer than it should have, but I've finally put the playlist together. Lala is going all defunct on me as of May 31st, having been bought out and eliminated by Apple. There's talk of an iTunes.com sort of deal, with a similar layout and structure, but we'll see. For now, I'm using my old playlist.com account (that I used to use for my now-abandoned myspace playlists). And since there technically wasn't a playlist for you guys last week, tomorrow you'll get a second one, which will put me up to speed. Good things come to those who wait while I procrastinate.